Gloria Ogbu
Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the Independent electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, credible and fair election.
The union urged the electoral umpire to ensure that it fulfills its mandate as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
They made the call in a communique jointly signed by it’s National President, Chris Isiguzo and National Secretary, Shu’aibu Usman Leman issued at the end of the special delegates conference of the union in Kano between January 25-27, tagged “Conflict Sensitive Reporting and Nigerian Journalism.”
The Union also lauded INEC for it’s use of technology in ensuring a credible election in the Nation.
The Communique reads in part: “The Conference advocated the conduct of a credible, free, fair and acceptable 2023 general elections and urged Nigerians to take advantage of the process to elect credible leaders that will steer the ship of State in the next four years.
“The Special Delegates Conference particularly challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to strive to meet the yearnings of Nigerians for a smooth, credible, free and fair elections by living and meeting the expectations of the people thus, urged the electoral umpire to ensure that it fulfills its mandate as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
“The Conference commended the deployment of technology in the electoral process as backed by the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, with the aim of enhancing the electoral system and building the confidence of the people in the conduct of elections in the country.”
The Union also “viewed with concern the overheating of the polity by politicians through all forms of verbal attacks and use of thugs in electioneering. It therefore counseled the political class, particularly the presidential candidates of some of the leading political parties to abide by the rules and do away with thuggery before, during and after the general elections.”